(VOV) – President Truong Tan Sang met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Korean President Park Geun-hye and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Tuesday as part of his activities at the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Beijing.

Sang and Putin compared notes on orientations and specific measures to enhance the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership while affirming their resolve to increase the current high level of political trust through senior delegation exchanges.

President Truong Tan Sang met with Russian President Vladimir Putin within APEC

President Sang accepted the invitation of President Putin to attend the 60th anniversary of Russia’s victory over fascism slated for Moscow next year. The two leaders hailed the positive developments of bilateral economic cooperation, agreed to combine efforts to finalize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan (VCUFTA), and accelerate oil and gas exploration and exploitation projects on the continental shelf of Vietnam and in Russia.

Sang and Korean President Park Geun-hye discussed ways to strengthen the Vietnam-Korea strategic cooperative partnership, pledged closer coordination in implementing signed agreements on economic cooperation programs and projects, and agreed to push forward Vietnam-Korea FTA negotiations.

Sang and New Zealand PM John Key agreed to exploit the potential for cooperation, and realize the 2013-2016 action program to promote the Vietnam -New Zealand comprehensive partnership. The two also agreed to step up cooperation and mutual support at global and regional forums.